[JRutledge]

If you do things only because everyone else is doing something, you will lose in the end. Every umpire is different and every situation is different. There are no one size fits all solutions. What works with one umpire will not necessarily work with another umpire.

Most umpires are going to out last most coaches and definitely will outlast the players. I have told coaches many times, "I do not care what another umpire has done in the past.....this is what we are doing today" Then you tell them what the rules say and why the rule is there. Then you can say something like, "What other rules do you want me to turn my back on." Usually it does not get that far, but you get the point.

Enforce the rules as close to the accepted philosophies as you can. You are not going to make everyone happy.

Peace